The Metamorphosis Characters Analysis

Chapter Summaries

Main Characters Analysis

The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is a novella i.e. longer than a short story but shorter than a novel, has been a revolutionary story about the practical yet perennial problem of our society. It is a story about a salesman by the name of Gregor Samsa, who works hard to earn a modest income in a job he hates, living with his father, mother, and sister. Initially, they were a normal family, the course of the story changes when Gregor gets transformed into a giant vermin, resulting in a gradual change in the behavior of his father Mr. Samsa, mother Mrs. Samsa and sister Grete Samsa. The story tries to capture the metamorphosis of not only Gregor’s transformation but the attitude of his family members too.

Gregor Samsa

The central character of the novella, Gregor was a salesman who was the sole bread earner of the family. He provided for all the needs of the family and secretly wants his sister to join a conservatory to study violin. But all his wishes and dreams get shattered when he wakes up as a vermin one fine morning. The story shows Gregor as a normal and average young person, who tries to fulfill every wish of his gamily uncompromisingly, even if that meant doing something he hates. Even after he transforms we see plenty of examples when he tries to keep himself away from the eyes of others as much as possible and try not to be an inconvenience even at his own peril. It shows the understanding attitude he has towards others.